What My Generation of Mormon Thinkers Has Accomplished

Ephraim Ericksen, a Mormon philosopher for whom an endowed chair is named at the University of Utah, wrote in his landmark doctoral dissertation in the 20s of three great challenges that Mormonism had faced or would face. The first was “Us vs. Them”, and although its most daunting times were in the 19th century, parts of that challenge continue to this day.

The second was “Us vs. Nature: The Colonization of the Great Basin”.

The third, and most crucial for today’s Church, as he recognized, is “Us vs. Us”, as we struggle internally to make the Church work for members of all stripes. It is in this third area that this generation, which I define to include people older than myself whom I have known, has made its most important contributions, a few of which I name briefly.

First, the establishment of a tradition of thoughtfulness. Not a loyal opposition, but instead an effort by those wired different than the majority to make this religion work for themselves. Though there were many casualties, enough stayed the course to let us know that it is possible.

And third, movement on important issues because of smart and courageous work. In particular, Juanita Brooks’s book on the Mountain Meadows Massacre paved the way for the final exorcism of ghosts that had haunted the Church for a century and a half. And Lester Bush’s monograph on blacks and Priesthood helped to change the Church and allow it to become truly worldwide.